Weekend

What a busy but fun filled weekend we have had.  We had friends and neighbours around on Saturday evening to get together for Christmas.  A little early I know but we won't be around and diaries are filling up quickly.  We then went to friends from Church for lunch and fellowship on Sunday which was a joy.  Saturday was spent preparing for guests and batch baking for the coming days.

Mince pie were first on the list, several variations made some with a crust topping and some a nutty crumble topping.

Sausage rolls were made , along with a  wreath using sausagemeat, stuffing and redcurrant jelly for the filling.

Mini quiches were also added.  Cheese and onion, cheese and tomato and cheese and pickle.

Cheese straws and cheese and cranberry sauce rounds.

The meat was done using the Hairy Bikers recipe that I have made several times before.  Two pork fillets stuffed with apricot and ginger stuffing and wrapped in bacon.  It makes for a stunning centrepiece and so tasty.  I didn't take photo of it cooked for some reason, but here it is wrapped in cling film prior to cooking.

Mixed fruit scones and cranberry and orange scones were added for dessert.  Along with a raspberry trifle and a New York cheesecake again with raspberries.

I did have some fun with the napkins choosing to make an elf's boot as there were a couple of children.  I popped a chocolate into the fold.  It was worth the effort to see the smiles.

Little gifts were made of hot chocolate mix and chocolate spoons, perfect for this time of year.  They were certainly well received.

In other news, we have had our first egg.  We were both so excited to find it and then one very quickly became three.

Aerobics class today and then I intend to sort through some of the Christmas decor.  We have so much that we have collected over the years that will just not fit into this little cottage so time to let some of it go.  Our daughters will love and cherish some of it and carry on some of our little traditions.  It will be so nice when we are not together to have shared memories and reflect on Christmas's past in our separate homes.  An ornament here and there reflecting some of the trips that we have taken together, or gifts bought and loved.  Spreading some of the happiness and ornaments that trigger so many happy memories will keep us together in spirit.

As always I thank you for your visit to this blog and for you comments.

See you soon.